Building User-Centered Design Systems

Design systems can be technically complicated, but user-focused challenges are often the sources of the real challenges. The Sparkbox team gathered for a recent UnConference to unpack and solve common issues.

We’re witnessing an incredible evolution in the tools available for designers working on Design Systems. Features that once seemed out of reach are now becoming standard. With these powerful new capabilities come new challenges, adding complexity and potential barriers to how we collaborate and problem-solve. So, how do we harness new tools without losing sight of the principles of human-centered design? The key lies in finding a balance: leveraging technology to empower teams while prioritizing the humans at the core of design.

The UX of Design Systems

Design systems are quickly becoming the standard for complex websites and tool development. As with any digital product, it’s critical to keep users at the forefront of your mind. Leah shared a keynote presentation on how to take a people-first approach to your design system.

Unified Terminology

How can you make progress together if you’re not all speaking the same language? Tools like Figma can help, but there’s still work to do with stakeholders and users. Angelica talked about the importance of terminology and naming conventions in design systems, also touching on consistent file structure and documentation.

Focusing on the Users of a System

A design system is usually not intended for the people who built it. A system is created to serve the people who use it. Merani talked with attendees about how to engage with subscribers throughout the development of your system.

How To Make Friends and Influence a System

A great design system is a cross-disciplinary masterpiece. It requires strategic, design, and technical expertise and they all need to work well together. One of the tricky handoff points is the handoff between design and development. Osmond shared how to resolve the friction points that can arise with tooling.

Design Systems: Foundations

Building a design system that can grow and change with your company is a big undertaking. Focusing on three key areas—communication, processes, and organization—will set up your organization for success now and in the future. Chris showed us how to create that solid foundation, whether you’re starting fresh or have already started.